Sequence timer



`uly 15, 1958 w. Q.' NICHOLSON ETAL SEQUENCE TIMER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Sept. 21, 1953'E N im SENER July 15, 1958 w. Q. NICHOLSON ETAL 2,843,685

SEQUENCE TIMER 2 SheetS-Shee 2 Original Filed Sept. 21, 1953 f A* 2,843,685 Patented July 15, 1958 SEQUENCE TIMER William Q. Nicholson, Pasadena, and Curtis B. Warshaw-v sky, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Hycon Mfg. Company, Pasadena, Calif., a corporation of Delaware 3 Claims. (Cl. 200-37) This invention relates to a mechanism for producing a series of electrical impulses selected as to chronological sequence and wave shape and accordingly may be referred to as a sequence timer. This is a division of S. N. 381,277, tiled September 21, 1953, now Patent No. 2,798,138, issued July 2, `1957.

Sequence timers are useful for a number of applicaltions including the testing or operating of complex mechanis-ms. For example, they may be used to start in motion complicated electro-mechanical machines or electromechanico-chemic|al machines Whether airborne, land vehicles or marine. Wherever one function must be performed in a particular time sequence to another and a large plur-ality of interrelated functions are required, these devices are useful.

YIt is a general object of the invention to produce a sequence timer that is,k rugged in construction and reliable in operation.

Another object is `to provide a sequence timer producing electrical impulses that are pre-selected in chronology and wave shape.

`Still another object is `to produce a sequence timer that is easy to assemble and is readily adjustable.

`Other objects and advantages will be apparent in the following description and claims considered together with the accompanying drawings forming an integral part of this application, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a sequence the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view along the line II--II of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 -is la transverse sectional view taken along the line IIIAIII of Fig. 2 and illustrating the switch operating mechanism.

Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken along the `line IV-IIV of Fig. l and illustrating the latch mechanism.

lFig. 5 is a partial sectional view of the solenoid valve element of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line VI-VI of Fig. 1 and illustrating the potentiometer operating mechanism.

Fig. 7 is an end View of the left hand end of .the device of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 8 is a plan view partially in section of the mounting of the switches.

Referring to the drawings, especially Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the entire sequence timer may be referred to by the numeral 10, and may have a combined frame and base 11 having a pair of parallel webs 12 and 13 transverse timer embodying to its length. Mounted on `one end of the base 11 may' be an electric motor 14 having a built in gear reducer 16 which in turn drives a shaft 17 journaled in the transverse webs 12 and 13. A plurality of switches 18 may be aligned side by side adjacent :to `the shaft 17, and a plurality of potenti-ometer resistors 19 may be aligned side by side as well as aligned with the switches. 'A plurality of cams 21 may be mounted on the shaft to operate the switches 18 and a plurality of cams 22 may operate wipers `for the potentiometer resistors 19.

Referring now to the shaft 17, it will 'be noted that a cup shaped member 23 may be secured on its end near the motor 14 as by a pin 24. This cup supports that end of shaft 17 and the cup 23 may be journaled in the Web 13 as by means of a bushing 26. Disposed within the cup may be a clutch surface formed of tapered ring 27 acting as the driven member of 4a clutch and the driving member may be a frustro conical member 28 driven 'by the gear reducer 16. Suitable means may keep the two clutch members 27-28 in engagement.

This clutch may be of a. limited torque type permitting the clutch to slip. This permits the latch to be used to start and stop the shaft 17 instantly, but high mechanical `stresses are `avoided from the inertia of the motor 14 by this slipping clutch. If desired, the motor may be started -ahead of time land the clutch may slip until the instant the shaft is released for rotation.

The other end of shaft 17 may be mounted in web 12 by means of a bushing 31 and a snap ring 32 may limit end play of the shaft to keep the clutch parts in assembly. Disposed on the outer end of shaft 17 may be 1an indicator dial 33 also shown in Fig. 7. Thi-s dial may be calibrated to read against a zero setting suitably supp-lied, as by a stationary plate 34 mounted on web 12.

The mechanism of operation of the switches 18 by the cams 21 is best illustrated in Fig. 3. A plurality of leaf springs 36 may be suitably fastened to the frame 11 to project between the switches and the cams. Each spring 36 may have an upwardly 'bent ear 36a to ride on the rim or other surface of the cams 21. The cams may have a suitable contour to operate the leaf springs and may use bumps 4or notches 21a or other shapes as desired. The leaf springs act as actuators lfor the switches. The switch 18 may be of any suitable type and micro switches are presently preferred.

"Ilhe mechanism for operating the potentiometers is best illustrated in Fig. 6. The potentiometer resistors 19 may be held against V-shaped recesses by a pair of clamp bars 37 held by screws 38, which structure is also illustrated in Fig. 2. yIn addition to the resistor 19, each potentiometer may include a wiper arm 3'9 suitably pivoted as to a shaft 41, illustrated also in Fig. 1. The wiper arm 39 may slide along the entire length of resistors 19 as illustrated by the broken outline of the arm in Fig. 6. The cam 22 may be engaged by a plunger 42 urged against it by a compression spring 43 held in a tubular recess 44. The plunger 42 may be loosely pinned to the wiper arm' 39 as at 46. Tlhe plunger-spring arrangement permits accurate following of the cam by the wiper arm, 'butddirect contact by the arm could be employed if `desire "Illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 is the latch mechanism which locks the shaft 17 against rotation until the proper instant of operation. 'A plate 48 (also shown in Fig. l) may be secured to the frame 11 and as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, may be horizontally disposed. Pivoted to the plate at 49 may be a crank shaped llever 51 which may engage a cam 21 having a notch 2lb formed therein. Carried on the lever may be an adjustable screw 52 bearing against the associated leaf spring 36. Actuation of the associated switch 18 gives the zero electrical impulse for the entire sequence of operation.

The latch lever 51 may be rock-ed on its pivot 49 by a solenoid 53 which may include a housing 54 supported on plate 4S and carrying winding 56, a stationary core 57 and a movable core 58. A Alink 59 may be loosely pivoted to the lever 51 by a pin 61 and may be threaded or otherwise secured to the movable core 58. A compression spring 62 may urge the lever 51 into engagement with the cam notch 2lb. Actuation of the solenoid 3 pulls the movable core 58 into engagement with stationary core 57, overcoming the spring 62 and releasing cam 21. At `the same time switch 18 is actuated.

Illustrated 1in Fig. 8 (fand Fig. 2) is the adjustable mounting for the bank of switches 1 8 permitting precise adjustment `of all switches at the same time. A pair of rods y63 `and 64 pass through `alll `of the switches 18. Rod 64 maybe mounted in web 13 and in a transverse ange 65. An eccentric bushing 66 may be mounted in the llange65 and an eccentric bushing 67 may be mounted in web 13. Rod 63 is mounted in bushings 66 and 67. Set screws 68 and 69 may engage bushings 66 and 67. The bushings 66 and 67 may be rotated together or independently to dispose the switches at the precise level `with regard tothe cams 21.

Various electrical connections may be made in any desired Irrranner, and there is illustrated in section in Fig. 2 several specimens of binding posts 71 presently preferred.

In operation, the solenoid 53 and the motor 14 are connected to operate together. The solenoid rotates lever 51 counterclockwise with respect to Fig. 4, releasing the :associated cam 21 which permits the shaft 17 to rotate. At the same time screw 52 operates the associated switch 18 giving a zero time impulse. The motor 14 drives through clutch members 27 `and 28 to rotate shlaft 17. Cams 21 and 22 rotate in response to rotation of shaft 17 operating the switches 18 and the potentiometers 19-39.

The switches 18 operate by means `of the leaf spring actuator 36 (r'Fig. 3) having the projecting ears 36a t within notches 21a.

The potentiometers 19-39 operate off of the cams 22 as illustrated in Fig. 6, the cam surface bearing against the plunger 42 to which the wiper arm 39 is pivoted. In this manner the arm 39 may `transverse the entire length of the resistor 19 giving any desired electrical wave form depending upon the Winding yon the resistor 19 and the shape of the cam 22.

Upon starting the rotation of the shaft 17 the power to solenoid 53 may be stopped and when one complete rotation has been m'ade the notch 2lb will be engaged by the crank lever 51 under urging of the compression spring 62. While the invention has been described with respect to a specific `embodiment thereof it is not limited to that embodiment, nor otherwise, but includes within its scope all variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

We claim:

1. A sequence timer comprising: a frame; a shaft mounted in the frame for rotation; motor means for rotating the shaft; a plurality of switches aligned generally parallel to the shaft; a rod passing through the aligned switches and disposed genenally parallel to the shaft; eccentric bushings supporting the rod in the frame at each end of the rod; means for securing the bushings from rotation on the frame; and `cams disposed on the shaft to actuate the switches in a preselected sequence.

2. A sequence timer as set 'forth in claim 1 wherein leaf springs are interposed 'between the ca-rns and the switches.

3. A sequence timer las d'eiiued in claim 1 wherein the shaft is provided with an indicator dial so that switch operation may be correlated with angular movement of the shaft.

References Cited in the ile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,244,299 Johnson et al. June 3, 1941 2,404,843 H-uber July 30, 1946 2,540,222 Tilton Feb. 6, 1951 2,670,039 Burkholder Feb. 23, 1954 2,682,590 Roberson June 29, 1954 

